PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) raised concerns over the lack of rehabilitation facilities for mental health patients during a visit to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) in Bambolim on Tuesday.
With approximately 190 in-patients currently under care, the Commission noted that many of these patients, who require rehabilitation after undergoing treatment, are unable to transition due to the inadequate capacity of the two existing rehabilitation units in Majorda and Mapusa.
“IPHB has around 190 in-patients, and the Commission observed that a lot of its patients who require rehabilitation post the treatment, continue to remain in the hospital due to lack of intake capacities of the existing two rehabilitation units at Majorda, in South Goa and at Mapusa, in North Goa,” reads the report by GHRC Acting Chairperson (retd Judge) Desmond D’Costa.
The Commission therefore recommended that the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Directorate of Social Welfare, Directorate of Social Welfare and Institute of Public Assistance (Provedoria) coordinate and expedite the process of creating rehabilitation homes in North and South Goa. It has recommended a necessary follow-up and Action Taken Report within 90 days.
To create awareness of Human Rights, the Commission team visited the IPHB. The report mentions they visited the wards, the female as well as the male wards and interacted with the patients.
The Commission observed that the overall hospital and its premises were very hygienic. “It was a great learning experience for all in the team. The Commission also visited the canteen and kitchen areas, which are kept in hygienic conditions and well supervised by a Dietitian and trained staff,” it said.
